freedom. my father also fought for spiritual freedom, to free yourself virtually. he talked about that it takes courage to have forgiveness. forgiveness is a difficult thing. i don't think it was easy. i don't think he woke up and said, "i forgive those who incarcerate me and everything." i think he knew if he didn't forgive, he would be forever imprisoned himself spiritually. and if you're not free here, you cannot be free definitely here. and so for me, the lesson is to have -- the lesson we can take away from his life is to have the courage to forgive other people. your own husband, if you are married, your own children, your own neighbors, your own community, people -- if we have the courage to forgive as human beings, there will be no wars that we see around us. there will be no crime.

no violence, there would be no conflict. for me, that's the greatest gift that dada has given to the world. because he also says none of us when we're born are born hating another. we are taught to hate, and if you can teach a human being to hate, you can also teach a human being to love. to embrace, to forgive. and for me, this is the greatest lesson. >> listening to that, dr. dyson, we talk about nelson mandela, the politician, nelson mandela the moral leader. also a man of impeccable psychological insight and emotional intelligence. >> incredible. the kind of arc of his moral intelligence is rather incredible. it's rooted in practical principles but shows what motivates people. how their psychies can be damaged, but also uplifted. in that sense you've got to be a major motivator and inspirer and

understand what moves your opponent, what moves your enemy, what moves your ally, and foster the alliances and allegiances necessary to make the nation stronger. i think in that sense he was a remarkable human being. >> and we said, dr. frasier, so much of that gained in prison, so much insight gained in those times in prison, were there any moments -- forgive me if you don't know the answer, but were there any moments when he feared or got close to the breaking point? >> that i don't know. but i can imagine as a human being one would. in 27 years, not just in jail, not just in the cell, but in hard labor. we forget, i think, often that he was out there breaking rocks, breaking lines. i mean, it was very difficult when you go to, as i had the opportunity several times to go to robben island, and you look at the pit where they were kept, and they were, you know, there was so many indignities where

they had to go to the restroom in a little hole essentially close to where they would rest just to get shade from the day. so it was really hard labor. and you know, it was horrific, frankly. the cell -- it it was the best accommodation compared to the worst that they had to do. >> byron pitts, talking about the work, breaking up the line every day. we've seen the stories, that the dust created by the line so fine that it clogged up the prisoners' ear deduct. here of a man who because of the work he was doing was not able to cry. >> we talked this week to two men who were in prison with mandela on robben island. they both made the point that they never saw nelson mandela lose it, break down. but there were moment that they

mentioned when nelson mandela was told that his son -- [ inaudible ] >> he asked permission to go to the funeral and was denied. so his cellmate tells the story of how mandela went to a meeting, came out, and normally would immediately tell his colleagues what was said to him. for this time for some reason he didn't. he walked away. he walked quietly to his cell and sat there. eventually walked over, suspecting something was wrong, he said, "madiba, what is wrong?" he said, "my son has died, and i cannot leave to be with him." they said they were taken by that. this was a moment where he didn't lose it, they said, but it was the one time all those years, those 28 years on robben island, that the burden of his life was heavy at that moment. in talking about sacrifice for

his family, there's a wonderful quote from mandela where he says, "to be the father of a nation is a great honor. but to be the father of family is a great joy. but it was a joy i had far too little of." >> a joy denied to him for so long. in his final days he was surrounded by family. i want to go to the interview with his daughter where she talks about the last moments with her father. >> i think from last week, friday, until thursday, it was a wonderful time. if we can say the process of death is wonderful. but dada had a wonderful time because we were there, and when the doctors told us i think there's the morning -- they had warned us before signs. when they told us in the morning that there was nothing that they

could do, and said to me, call everybody that's here, that want to see him and say bye-bye, it was the most wonderful day for us because the grandchildren were there, we were there, the professional doctors. and actually i think when they saw him slipping away, those doctors dedicated their time. they were running shifts through our shifts 24 hours being like they were soldier guiding this -- i don't know how to understand this. it was soldiers guiding the spirit. yes, my father comes from royalty. without them knowing they were taking our rituals and culture, they were there in silence. when we as family would come in, they would excuse themselves, and just a few would be there to

give us the time koob honto be y dad's bed. even for the grandchildren, it was a wonderful moment. we tried to explain that people were outside singing, putting cards and flowers. i do believe he heard. even this last week, i don't know what was seen with the doctors, he hadn't opened his eye eyes. >> we see winnie mandela giving hugs -- president mandela's wife -- finding love late. the president of mozambique who was killed, dr. frasier. this was a real match and a woman who married two presidents. >> absolutely. and some would say that in fact the president of mozambique and

nelson mandela competed over her. very early in their -- their youthful days. so i guess -- >> before he went -- >> yeah. exactly. so that's the story that's told in south africa. but she's a woman of tremendous substance. she was in fact the minister of education in mozambique. she became head of the commission of the u.n. on women and children in conflict, and she even today is a member of the elders that goes in and helps to mediate conflict around the world. she's a woman of tremendous substance, a diplomate in her own right. in the last few years she stayed closer to home because her husband was failing in his health. i'm hopeful that she will get back on the world stage and, you know, take that, the lessons of

nelson mandela of her own experience, life, to help mediate conflicts globally. >> it's important to notice that two powerful black women, bound together for their love of this great man, themselves were able to be kind and gracious and hospitalable to each other and not vish -- hospitable to each other and not viciously opposed to each other. it's an uncommon moment given reality tv. >> even though that was a bitter goes between nelson mandela and winnie at first, he did find a way to forgive her, too, later in life. there's a wonderful story told by his daughter where she comes in to greet the president, winnie stays and he says, "what are you doing? bring her inside." >> it's beautiful. if all of the lessons of your politics can't be applied to your personal life, the political is useless because

democracy should foster the ability of people in their own spaces to have common dignity and grace, as well. >> we're seeing mahmoud abbas, head of the palestinian authority, come in now. a man also close to mandela's heart. >> it was. he always talked about the palestinians. i remember he chastised president bush in 2001 saying that when president bush went to the arab world, he disappointed many because he didn't meet with arafat. of course, president bush wasn't going to do that. he came back and made his arguments about the conditions for moving forward in the middle east. but the same president mandela often talked to president clinton about the palestinian cause, as well. but in those meetings, he was always very clear that he was not anti-israel. you know, he was not anti-jewish. but he just felt that the condition of the palestinians needed to be improved, needed to

have, you know, a world focus. i also would say that nelson mandela was very loyal. so those movement, those leaders who supported the anc in the darkest days when the united states and u.k. and others in the west who were not supportive, never forgot them. cuba, libya, the palestinians were all allies during those dark days. and he stayed true to them. >> had a long personal relationship with hillary clinton, as well. they first met in 1992. democratic convention. we see him there with queen elizabeth. probably one of the only people in the world who would pick up the phone and say, "hi, elizabeth, how you doing?" would not call her queen. i want to go to the stadium. terry mower ar moran, set the s. >> reporter: there's no question this is a grand, global event. we do have some boos, as

expected, with some of the leaders coming in. it's a grand event and a personal one, as well. there's no question that the people here, you see it now, about half full. about 40,000 people or so who are here. we came in on the train this morning with many, many people, very festive situation here. [ booing ] >> reporter: see who they're booing. so many people said, "i had to be here after what this man did for me in my life." not "i admired him," not "i voted for him," not "i supported him," but "he changed my life. i wouldn't have the opportunity that i have today. i wouldn't have the sense of pride and equality i have today if it were not for what this man gave to me, sacrificed for me." we hear that all the time here. and out around the countryside. and not just from black people. i spoke with an afrikaner farmer

who had been the victim of an attack, a lash of attacks, violent crime on the rise in this country. this man had been shot in the back, three assailants, all black. i wanted to get his take on nelson mandela and the coming era. when i mentioned mandela, this big dairy farmer, afrikaner man, teared up and started crying. he said, "nelson mandela changed my life. i was raised to hate mandela," he said. "but then i changed. i realized it was we who were in prison, and he had freed us." >> he believed that africa would only succeed if afrikaners truly

felt part of the society. >> reporter: no question about it. they that remained a challenge. you do feel a spiritual kinship with the country. both diverse nations. we come from all over the planet as americans. people from europe come -- their heritage. all over africa. we are diverse in our racial lines, religious lines, tribal lines, racial lines, and the question is can we make it work, the same question that they faced here. there is question about the revolutionary anc, can they become a truly governing party of a multi- racial nation. the other day, i had the chance to meet with 20 young south africans, all black except one, who were 18 to 25. i asked them, raise your hand, how many of you think the government of this country, as

you look ahead to plan your life and career, how many of you think the government of this country is on your side and how many of you think they're out for themselves. almost every single one said they think the current government is out for themselves. that's the challenge now going forward after the mandela era. ♪ >> dr. frasier, you know, we saw there the man who's one of the leaders of this program, the former secretary general of the anc, become a wealthy man the last several years. one of the people we see there who could grow into it was -- >> interestingly, he was a labor leader, a strong star to the anc, and the choice of president mandela to succeed him. he actually wanted the

businessman, he continues to have very strong ties with the labor movement. part of the group that governs with the anc. so i think cyril can become the next president of south africa. >> you mentioned the clash between mandela and tumbecki over aids. there was an advocate for protection and investment in health care and other drugs. mbecki slow to come to that. >> the nelson mandela administration focused on aids before the 6664 campaign was focused on hiv and aids. mbecki felt as if he was treatitreat i -- as though south africa was

more promiscuous and wanted to treat it as morality rather than poverty. i think in some ways his pride got in the way of his response to this challenge. he was uncomfortable talking about sex. he was uncomfortable talking about what needed to be done in terms of practicing to prevent it. >> and a hurdle more mandela, as well, dr. dyson. >> sure. but the remarkable thing was his constant revolution. in the autobiography of "malcolm x," he says in a poignant phrase, "they won't let me turn the corner," speaking of his own followers, "they want to trap me where i am." nelson mandela confronted this tire willy, deliberately chose to think outside the box. the circumstance forced him to. certain thing forced him into a different position. the reality is that he was open-minded. and i think mutombo, people

don't realize that he was one of the few with his father that manned didn't have the most charitable of relationships shall we say. i think the tension between them but also passion and science on one hand. you could be resistive to the west but could perpetuate legacies and stereotypes within your own tribe. ♪ >> the national anthem of south africa. ♪

♪ ♪ [ cheers ] >> the national anthem of south africa sung at the memorial service for nelson mandela at the smb stadium in johannesburg. the eyes of the world on that stadium this morning as so many

come together to celebrate nelson mandela. as we approach 5:00 a.m. on the east. the ceremony getting underway, tremendous rain. the former secretary general of the african national congress, close ally of nelson mandela, opening the program right now. >> deputy president, former president -- [ cheers ] >> former president mbecki -- >> he is greeting the world leader. as we said, so many leaders, more than 100 world leaders there in south africa today. we've seen them streaming in all morning including, of course, four american presidents, president obama on air force one earlier today. traveling throughout monday, 17-hour flight, coming off air force one with the first lady. there is laura bush and former

president george w. bush. secretary of state clinton joining them on air force one, as well, for the long flight. as we said earlier, they reconfigured a little bit. secretary clinton taking over the chief of staff's cabinet. the president has his own apartment up front. presidents jimmy carter and former president clinton getting there on their own this morning. they will all be there today to celebrate nelson mandela. shortly we will be hearing from president obama as we see the mandela family right there. that is nelson mandela's grandson who is now seen as the read of the family, seeing tribal responsibilities. the family gathered outside of noond's home in johannesburg. and they are coming together to celebrate nelson mandela today. this memorial service will go on for several hours here in south

africa, and then his body will be taken to pretoria where he will lie in state for three days before the funeral on sunday in his homeland. let's go back. >> a dignified and fitting memorial service in honor of our father, nelson mandela. >> winnie mandela there, former wife of nelson mandela. and his current wife, his second wife there, as well. third wife, excuse me. >> we applaud you and thank you for that. on behalf of the president, i welcome all of you who have travelled from all corners of

the world and extend warm words of wisdom from friends all over the world, and let us give nelson mandela's friends as well as the friends of south africa, from all over the world, a round of south african warm welcome and say thank you for coming. [ cheering and applause ] >> i also welcome those in south africa and those around the world who cannot come but are watching the proceedings on television. we have more than 100 country represented here today easily representing millions arounded world who are bidding farewell to nelson mandela. we say thank you for that.

i apologize for the rain. we were not able to stop the rain, but this is how nelson mandela would have wanted to be sent off. these are blessings in our african tradition. when it rains when you are buried, it mean that your god is welcoming you, and the gates of heaven are most probably open, as well. [ cheers ] >> today we reflect on our collective memories of nelson mandela, father of our nation and founding father of our democracy. this occasion should make all of us pause today in respect of the life of nelson mandela. today's memorial -- >> dr. dyson, we're talking about the african blessing,

mentioned earlier, as well. we'll be hearing later from a methodist minister. but nelson mandela even though a great moral area, not a particularly religious man. >> yeah, to his credit. religious confrontation that was brought about, he's like the present pope, an amazingly spiritual figure. nelson mandela is not a religious guy, but the moral temperature that he radiated was of a deeply spiritual character. spiritual means, look, i recognize that i'm a citizen on this planet with other people, i have to share space, and i have to share community and have to share love. and i have to share struggle. in that sense he forged the bonds more perfectly and perhaps more efficient ly than some religions due. even if it wasn't raining, perhaps it's global colored people time that represent the african and african-american and black global traditions for the

sense of spirit to guide the proceeding there, the -- not even the death of this man with k interrupt that deepening tradition. >> byron pitt, talk more about the tradition. is that joy being. by everyone in the -- is that joy being felt by everyone in the stadium today? >> reporter: absolutely, george. people are smiling. one guy said, "look, if it rains i'm here, if it hails, i'm here. if there's a hurricane, i'll still be here." about the rain, in african culture, there's a belief that if it's raining on the day of someone's funeral, it is a sign that they lived a blessed life. many people hoping, george, it will rain even harder than it's raining now. something that you can't see, but in many ways, you guys have a better seat than people here. there's no huge jumbotron. people in the cheap seats -- [ inaudible ]

people milling around. in the hallways, we talked about freedom in south africa. you also see a great deal of free enterprise. during apartheid, blacks were not allowed to own their own business. now they take great pride in owning their own business. people are selling shirts. at his ranch, there are women making food in the rain. cooking chickens, steaks. the line is long to get food. it smells good. >> i bet it's going to be a long day. the programs, filled by the leaders who will want to pay tribute to nelson mandela today. and terry moran, you're also in the stadium. i know so many went through hardship to get there. many also choosing to stay home because of the security roadblocks and rain. it is very difficult to get there today. >> reporter: it is difficult. they had shut down a lot of the

street and instructed people that the basic way to get here was by train, as we did, just around dawn. people flowing on to the train, or by bus, or you could walk. and so a steady, drenching, soaking rain that appeared to be a challenge for a lot of people. once again, people were making the effort, came with the spirit of joy that you sensed in this place. people are here because they needed to be. nothing of going to stop them, not the security hassles, rain, nothing. it is filling up, although there are a lot of empty seats, this is a vast place. 94,000 capacity. there's more than 50,000 people here. that's a pretty good turnout for a funeral. >> as you were saying, even 40,000, a number right now, pretty tremendous. >> yeah. that's amazing. i mean, you know you're a great man when people are disappointed

that only 40,000 showed up at your funeral, although they continue to stream in. and it's remarkable that the funeral itself is an act of state, so to speak, that unifies people. not only within south africa, but 100 leader from around the world. even in death, nelson mandela is forging connections and drawing a line. >> we're seeing that ecumenical spirit there on the podium. the rabbi now offering a blessing, as well. >> the soul of mandela gathered for his people. remember the righteousness that was done. remember how he exemplified the finest qualities of your servant choices, about whose great leadership, generosity of spirit, and powers of forgive not we read in your hebrew bible. joseph, the son of jacob, the son of isaac, the son of abraham

-- >> the bishop of south africa there. as we listen to the prayers, how did it become the multicultural country that nelson mandela wanted? >> it's multicultural by natural in the demographics. it's not the nonracial. it's from the point of view of the equality of all citizens. and that really has to do very much with an economic divide that continues to persist. as well as the element that create that economic divide. townships are divided bay houses. there are educational discrepancies between the community. i think that there's still more work, significant work to do to

make it nonracial in the sense of equal opportunity for all. that was also mary robinson, next to archbishop tutu. and those two are part of the elders. >> pain on him and so many millions of others in order that our diverse south african family would not be -- >> a reminder from the rabbi of the pain inflicted on nelson mandela, as dr. frasier was talking about, earlier. those years in prison. he survived. in some ways he thrived. his spirit thrived. very tough on his body. >> oh, my god. yeah. the endurance that he had -- and he was a world-class athlete in the sense of the kind of rigor that he endured and put himself through. my lord, to have to endure that physical labor and the punishment, untold punishment,

reprisal of the guards there. they eventually, of course, grew to appreciate and respect mandela, but initially for those years to endure the hardship and physical labor crew had a horrible effect on the body. sort of like when you see black men from a certain generation who couldn't stop to use the bathroom because they were traveling from north to south and their bladders were messed up. imagine that 50-fold to what happened to those men's bodies. yet because of his extraordinary discipline, here's a man who in spite of that lived to 95 years old. >> we remember that. despite the punishment inflicted by the jailers, came out of prison and one of the first act he had was to forgive them and invite them to his inauguration as president. >> reporter: george, that's right. he forgave them by the end. but from day one, nelson mandela demanded that they respect him. his first day on robben island, as he and his colleagues walked

in, they tell the story that a number of the guards yelled a derogatory word for blacks in south africa. equivalent to the "n" word in the united states. mandela in chains stopped, turns to the guard and said, "no. no. that's not when we are." and told the men, "do not respond to that word. that's not who we are." one of the men turned and said, "madiba, do you know where we are?" he said, "i do. but we must teach them who we are." and it continues. in prison early on, blacks, coloreds, indians were allowed to wear long pants. blacks had to wear short, to take away their dignity, treat them as they were boys. in his first weeks in prison, mandela went to the warden and said, "we want long pants." he said, "no, i'm the warden." mandela said, "i'm a lawyer, we want long pant."

eventually they got long pants. it took six years, though, george, to get the prison to allow the black prisoners to have that. >> fascinating story, byron. thank you. president carter arrived. he traveled separately. we see him there. dr. frasier, of course, president carter in office as the anti-apartheid movement took hold here in the united states. and diverted so much of his post presidency i to the problems plaguing. >> particularly he's been very good on the tsetse fly that causes river blindness. and also on democratic elections. he's been the carter center that he founded has been forceful in terms of fielding monitors and observers to make sure that these elections are going well.

>> and the president you worked for, president george w. bush, traveled there with president clinton. one of his enduring successes, that commitment he made to fight aids around the world through the campaign. bipartisan support. is really making a difference across the continent. >> it is indeed. it has turned around the aids pandemic. it used to be an absolute death sentence. now because of the introduction of anti-rhett viral druetro vi- viral drugs, people are living for a long time. kocondoleezza rice used to see child who lives with a parent for very long in their life was

more visible than one who lost a parent. and the president of nigeria committed $100 million to the global fund within four months of his presidency. >> we saw the pictures of nelson mandela with president clinton. let's talk about that. quite a remarkable relationship there, as well. they first met, i believe, at the 1992 democratic convention after nelson mandela, elected president in 1994, gets his first state dinner at the white house with president clinton and he became quite a comfort to president clinton in his darkest days of impeachment. they went back to robben island. we see them there as well as the president said the other day, this became a true friendship. >> it was an extraordinary friendship. he stood by him during his darkest hours -- >> scolded congress over him. >> sure did. he turned and looked at him and supported him and gave his life. that's the sense earlier about his loyalty. as they say?

tennessee, "dance with the ones that brungu." he understood loyalty because it's helpful time of distress. you don't need loyalty when he things are fine. you need loyalty when he thing are difficult. >> it's funny when you say that. i was talking to president clinton about the loyalty. president mandela would often tease him or the other way around, president clinton would tease president mandela about his loyalty to fidel castro. and he would stand by his friends, whatever their political persuasion. they shared political principles, as well. terry, anything to say on that? terry moran, are you still with us, more on the relationship -- [ inaudible ] >> reporter: i am. there's no question that clinton

and mandela share a gift of friendship. and i think that nelson mandela recognized in him an ability that he had in american politics and politics around the world to transcend differences, it seemed in his art, in his person. he was a natural cross cultural, cross racial friend to many, many people. people saw that, he is still an enormously popular person around the world. the most popular former president, no question about it. people sense in bill clinton that knack for connecting crass divisions. we're in an age of globalization, the greatest challenge in our lives and children's lives is are we going to be able to cross the boundaries and be friends and cooperate and make the world a better place. clinton, whatever his policy records, seems to many people -- and i think to nelson mandela, as well, as a guy who in himself

naturally crosses the lines, cheerfully. and they formed a very close friendship. >> close relationship. we saw the pictures at the state dinner earlier with secretary of state clinton who went to south africa several times, even brought chelsea clinton. you were talking about mary robinson, as well, dr. frash. how did nelson mandela's equal right for all extend to equal right for women? >> i never saw a difference. >> i never saw him differentiate, his greatest tribute. he took everybody their own terms, on their own merit, and i think that he, you know, embraced all. so i actually never saw him treat women or men in any different way.

>> did you see the tension in the relationship in we talked about with president bush the differences over the war in iraq. he also was persistent in pressing both president clinton and president bush. he was constantly reminding american presidents they had to do more for africa. >> yes. it's something. when we were talking about the special relationship between mandela and clinton, i remember being this when president mandela was trying to get president clinton to come to the peace talks on burundi. he was a mediator. he wanted president clinton to come. the national security adviser, sandy berger, didn't think it rose to a priority for the preside president, it came to negotiations. he was very much opposed to it. clinton couldn't resist mandela. mandela asked, clinton was going to do. it sure enough, three months, four months later, clinton was

there standing next to president mandela overseeing the talks. >> tremendously persuasive man. >> yeah. i think they were two bird of the same feather. you know, there was -- i don't know who said it, said that the difference between obama and clinton, that clinton is the dog. 99 people in the room, one doesn't like you, the dog is going to go, "why don't you like me?" forget the 99 who love you. whereas the cat goes, "i'm good. you laike me, you don't. i'm all right." >> let's talk about the relationship between president obama and nelson mandela. we've seen that pretty iconic photo. then-senator obama meeting nelson mandela when he came to washington. and you see them there. mandela frail. president obama leaning down to greet him. as a sitting president, he wrote the forward to nelson mandela's book. he considered it a great honor to be asked to write the forward to the book.

you mentioned the joshua generation. president obama considered part of the joshua generation here in the united states. he was fired by the example of nelson mandela. even though they probably personally have great differences. >> yeah. no doubt. i think that the inspiration of an icon is extraordinary. obama taps into the spirit, the global recognition of this man's greatness. it's an irvisitable force. in terms of policy, ironically enough -- irresistible force. in terms of policy, ironically enough, he may have had more in common with george than president obama, who was chastised -- in reference to leadership and corruption, but a distancing operation that some critics in america have detected in his relationship to african-americans. so it's not just a local black thing, it's a global black thing. and there's been a tense

relationship between president obama in that sense. while he embraces nelson mandela as an iconic figure, the on-the-ground politics would suggest a great deal of tension there, and that the approach of nelson mandela was far more courageous in reaching out to those who had been despised and to embrace them even as he challenges them than the tough love approach of barack obama. >> and you can feel, jonathan carl, our chief white house correspondent in washington, that the example of nelson mandela humbled president obama. he always bristles when people compare the two as the first elected black presidents of the countries because as he said so many times, he cannot match the kind of sacrifices that nelson mandela made for his country. >> that's exactly right, george. and he wrote in that forward to mandela's book that it was mandela who awakened him to the outside world. as we said, it was the first political speech that nelson

mandela gave as a young college student in california, he was inspired by mandela. it was an anti-apartheid protest. but when mandela died and the president came out to give his statement in the briefing room, he said that he was one of the many millions who had been inspired by nelson mandela to get involved and try in some way to make the world a better place. always resisting the comparison but making it clear that it was mandela in many ways that made it possible for us to have a president obama because it was mandela who inspired obama to get involved in politics in the first place. >> in the remarks that he gave, the first remarks that he gave, he likened -- echoed president lincoln when he said now that nelson mandela belongs it the ages, the final words at lincoln's bedside, as well. what more do we know about what the president might be saying today? i know that he worked on a speech on that long flight to

south africa overnight. >> this was something he had been working on for some time given, of course, that they haeb prepa -- they had been preparing for this day. mandela appeared in very bad condition and near death when obama visited africa over the summer. this was not a speech the president started, we're told. he was preparing to come over for this trip. i expect we're going to hear about mandela's -- mandela's inspiration for the world. i think a little personal from president obama. i have to say, hearing the president when he came out in the briefing room after we learned that mandela had died, was some of the most heartfelt, inspirational words we had heard from the president in some time. obviously he's been going through a rough patch politically here at home, this was obama in a very personal

way, in a way that we hadn't heard in some time. >> jonathan karl mentioned the speech the president gave at oxidental college. dr. dyson, so many american of that generation, of our generation, this was in some ways the post vietnam era. this became an issue that sparked activist. >> exactly right. it was people's introduction into the world of politics. and college campuses were aflame. you know, before this was the "me" generation, of the narcissism that was, you know, taking hold in the '70s, as we heard it it. obama and others of our generation said, no, we will not give in to or capitulate to the stereotype that we're different, we're all about ourselves. and this issue provided the perfect entree into dealing with politics and also to rallying for a cause that was not simply local but global and international. >> time of joy and celebration. south africa, let's listen. ♪

[ cheers ] ♪ [ speaking in native language ] >> and as we hear the response in that stadium right now -- madiba. >> what you hear in the stadium, and as we've heard it all morning and we hear it in the

churches across south africa is the most astonishing choral music i've heard. that particular song, as we heard on playgrounds, we heard elsewhere, isaa they sing o-- i they sing his name and praise him. there is no one like him. he is our father. you hear the stage the most remarkable thing. people taking up harmony points, even counter points on their own. this magnificent choral singing that comes out of the culture of south africa is one of the great, great cultural monument here in this song to nelson mandela. highway loved -- he loved it. this was a revolution movement, a revolution in song. and it continues to be a nation that sings its joy and morals.

>> at the podium -- having trouble with the transmission there. at the podium right now, the political activist with nelson mandela in robben island. [ inaudible ] >> he was sentenced to prison in robben island. he was released after negotiations between the african national congress and the government. [ cheers ]

>> go ahead, terry. >> reporter: i just wanted to let you know that the crowd is following this with incredible attention at the same time as byron pointed out in the upper deck which is sheltered from the rain as they're preparing meals and living today -- they have come here for the duration, to celebrate this man. and to listen to what their leaders and the world leaders have to say. this is a moment to take ownership. they're grading these guys, no question about it. you can sense the response that each of these speaker get as they come to the podium and as they leave. so it's a soccer stadium, a moment of celebration for the life of nelson mandela. and it's a political moment, too, for the people of south africa. >> let's try again to listen to the former prisoner with nelson

mandela on robben island. [ cheers ] >> i'm overjoyed by the outpouring of love and adulat n adulation. madiba, you are looking down w now, and we know, and there is no doubt as men and women unite and celebrate his life and

legacy. [ inaudible ] >> rain causing an awful lot of problems, dr. dyson. of course one thing spoken to is the tremendous solidarity between nelson mandela and his -- those people who share themselves with him -- >> he could have played it high, he could have been the prima donna, he could have been the diva, no.

he insisted that his fate be the fate of the group and that the group's fate be his so that they could enjoy together whatever sacrifices would bring them, and in do together whatever penalty would be imposed. it's an extraordinary mark of nelson mandela's, again, sense of loyally that he would stick with these -- loyalty that he would stick with these men. >> because of that leadership, no real question once he was released from prison that he would become the leader of the nation. >> no question at all. i think that the anc had effectively mobilized around his image as the leader of the movement, as the moral leader. so the global "free mandela" campaign was not by chance. it was an orchestrated political act. so he was indeed the designated leader of the party when he came out. >> do you know at what moment is became so clear? >> i think winnie mandela had

quite a lot to do with it. i think people underestimate the role that winnie mandela played in keeping mandela's name out there, keeping him in the forefront of the movement. remember, she also was banned. as his wife was seen as such. the head of already the anc youth league, he was the head of the armed wing. he had taken a leadership position in the party very early, from the '40s even, and through the '60s to tell his imprisonment. he could have easily been forgotten. >> the free nelson mandela movement also had part in our popular culture. >> it absolutely did. postcards, banners, people carried along the placards, but i want to reinforce the point that similar to nelson mandela, who was living but in prison, when dr. king died, he was not any more one of the ten most admired americans. many universities didn't want to have him lecture. no american book company really wanted to publish one of his

books. he couldn't even get on the board of trustee of his own college until two years before he died. sure, morta martyrdom swept awa allegations. but loretta scott king ensured that he would have a national holiday and memorialization. i think the same with winnie mandela, that she did extraordinary work. there's been a gender attack on her that i think has been subversive and unfortunate. yes, there are things about her that we can be extremely critical. but to appreciate the extraordinary work she had to do, her suffering in prison, of brutalized and stood up in a very powerful way to make sure that nelson mandela, the image and the icon, would carry the work of their movement forward. >> so many sacrifices by winnie mandela, as well, byron pitts in the stadium right now. how are they reacting to the speakers so far?

>> reporter: i think people are paying attention. the audio is difficult. talking about winnie mandela, in the streets of south africa, the people who adore her and the people who despise her because of the issues you sdwruftsed. she clearly -- discussed. she clearly was part of nelson mandela's success. she kept the movement alive. this is a woman -- consider this. she's 60 years younger. when they married, she was 21 years old. when mandela brought her to her first anc meeting, she was a social worker. a lot of older women in the movement balked and said, "why bring her? she's too pretty to be a freedom fighter." she grew into the role. this woman spent 461 days in pris prison. she and mandela were married

four years before he went to prison. in those four years they were only together for about 15 months. the rest of the time he was in detention. he was -- oftentimes -- oftentimes people who speak of soweto speak of where he lived. in a way this is winnie mandela's, the life she gave south africa. >> it's a great point because i think people have tended to erase her from the picture because of her complications. this is what happens when you live outside -- when you live longer than whatever use your image is put to. so winnie mandela had to deal with on-the-ground situations that were complicated. the choices she made about violence. the choices she made about how she would be related to another man. those were complicated issue that men are usually forgiven for. so winnie mandela has been unforgiven by some because of

gender but also because of her choices. but her extraordinary sacrifice and incredible toll that has been extracted from her i think have not been told. people are right to celebrate her. this is as much about her courage, her conviction, her celebration, her persistence in the face of the odds. and let's say this without being dismissive of mandela himself. to be in prison is one thing, to endure that, but you're by yourself. it's a routine, it's predictable. her life outside is unpredictable. not supported. she had to generate the courage herself and generate the sustenance herself to move forward. >> we'll be hearing from more of the family members coming up. we'll hear from a member of mandela's clan and from an elder in the clan, also from his gr d grandson, as well. this family, dr. frasier, has had its share of difficulty in recent years.

>> yeah. often when a father goes away to prison for so long or even is an activist for so long, they're not making money or taking care of the family in that way. so i think that, you know, a lot of times the children of activists and lirevolutionary leaders have a difficult time. you know, they did set up a family trust for the children and the squabbling among the children is about property rights and money -- it is about money. that's true in the anc of many leader. they made a sacrifice for the cause, and it took an economic toll on their families. >> we're seeing the outpouring in these days since mandela's death, but how distant a figure had he become in the country? >> not distant at all. i think nelson mandela was still

the moral center. and many with their disappointment about the leadership of the anc and its more material orientation would refer back to nelson mandela. 2005, 2007, 2011, his presence was still important within the anc. you'll recall in 2013 the anc leadership took pictures with him to try to shore up their own presence. his activism in the party diminished even just over two years or so. >> we're going to be hearing from president obama later this morning. we'll also hear from several members of the mandela family.

that is andrew melengheni, a president with nelson mandela in robben island. appears to be wrapping up again. >> thank you very much. >> thank you very much. we're here to mourn him in dignity. right now we would like to call on the mtembo clan to honor the family.

>> to the people of south africa and president of our country, president zuma. president, royal highness, excellency of the diplomatic -- >> a member of the south african national defense force, an elder of the mandela family. >> on occasions such as this -- allow me to reflect on this occasion. [ inaudible ]

>> i don't know if you can hear me. from our vantage point here, it sound like the general not getting a warm reception from the crowd. >> reporter: george, i'm not sure if it was him -- there was a moment when they put a picture on the jumbotron of a picture of the president of south african. [ inaudible ] >> reporter: i don't know if it's connected but that was the sense inside the stadium. we're talking about the relationship with the anc, it is strained at best. mandela is a reminder to many, in many ways he is separate and above the anc. interestingly enough, when mandela was in prison, it was forbidden in south africa to say his name in public, for his name to appear in print. there was a generation of south africans who had no idea who nelson mandela was. it's when he came out of prison

that he became -- today people loved him. the people who describe madiba as the -- they say they're waiting on the joshua -- [ inaudible ] >> people mindful of talking to south africa about mandela and talking about the anc, their respect would change. they would talk about the corrupt, they would talk it how much money the president had. there was a divide. that the anc if it's going to remain the support it's been for so many years, they're going to have to find a way to fill that gap.

>> remarkable remembrance. for so many years it was forbidden to say the name nelson mandela in south africa. >> that didn't prevent people from knowing who nelson mandela was. i think that we shouldn't underestimate the political machine it was in terms of organizing capacity. the anc is clearly in some form of -- it's also judged by its author, competitor. i think the anc will remain the democratic party on the scene until the democratic alliance on the other major passion paroppoy is able to bring more blacks into -- its constituency. so i think whereas president zuma is in crisis because of issues of corruption, the anc itself is not likely to lead governance for some time.

>> on that point, dr. dyson, when there's such a touring leader of a movement -- towering leader of a movement such as nelson mandela, difficult to groom the next generation. martin luther king jr. -- >> ralph abernathy, with all due respect, an incredible man but not nearly as talented or capable. and people often are critical of charismatic authority and leadership. it's not that we want to oversell charisma as the basis for collective energies expressed by movements, but there's something to be said for a galvanizing figure in a way that enemies can hear it and allies can hear it. and now following nelson mandela's decline and death, it's extraordinarily important to figure out the next person. and they keep using "jojoshua

versus moses. people tend to forget joshua did a lot, too. he went back in the river, pulled out stones so we can memorialize those people and how we got over. and i think there's been a disconnect. joshua and moses are much more intimately intertwined than people give them credit for. perhaps the move would be how can we foster at alliances we've built as a result of nelson mandela's presence there but also seek folks panned the influence. >> true. after mandela left office, did he become that iconic figure immediately? someone who couldn't be criticized and people displaced criticism on others in south africa? >> i wouldn't say so. i think that nelson mandela criticized himself, you know, and that was the important part. he admitted -- he said he came to the hiv issue late. you know, so i think that in that way he was a real leader.

i think we're too hard sometimes on mbecki. housing, electricity, social services, mbecki was the person when delivered that to the south african population. but his leadership style was closed, he took out his enemies very, you know, quickly. he never really had favor with the people the way in which nelson mandela did. >> if there is to be a next supreme leader of the movement in that country, is there -- did nelson mandela have a favorite? >> everyone expects that jacob zuma will be re-elected for another five years, and then it likely to be after that. >> we're going to continue here from other members of the

mandela family coming up including his grandson. and some of the grandchildren, as well, before the world leaders, ban ki-moon, including the former secretary general, kofi annan, queen rania of georgia, more than 100 nations of jordan, more than 100 nations represented by their leaders today. an extraordinary gathering coming together to celebrate the life of nelson mandela today. let's listen in a little more to the -- it general mandela, the elder of the mandela family. >> is for us all to live in deference. although he no longer walks among us, the quality of humanity and genuineness will

continue. with this flame now out, to all nations, to all people young and old, far and wide, let us urge to continue in the way of harmo harmony. [ inaudible ] [ indiscernible ] >> thank you. [ cheers and applause ]

>>. >> from all over the world, we have well over 91 countries that have sent delegations. >> deputy over nelson mandela and the anc. >> thank you for being here. >> a sort of favorite of nelson mandela's. >> nigeria, argentina -- >> become quite a wealthy businessman in africa. the question, will he one day be president of that country. >> many will continue acknowledging them as they move on. with the view of catching up on lost time, we are now going to call upon madiba's grandchildren, madiba has 18

grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. we're going to call them -- >> the first, oldest grandchild to speak, 22 years old, one when died of aids. they're all coming to the podium now. >> grandfather -- s>> his grabbenddaughter is fir. >> would like to thank you for being here, thank you. madiba was struck by lightning bolt in the dead of night,

disoriented, forced in a whirlwind, what do i do? when sadness and celebration co-mingle, the body shudders, shakes -- >> mandela's great granddaughter. >> are you lodged in our memories. you are like a comet, leaving streaks of light for us to follow. we salute, madiba -- [ speaking native language ] [ cheers ] [ speaking native language ]

>> peace and will reconciliation, the giant tree has fallen, scattering brilliant, bright leaves. replicating a million messages of peace, of love, and reconciliation. shall we walk in his footsteps? >> madiba, they say you are a brilliant man. you rejoice. mbecki was brilliant, too. they say are you a wise man. you remind them that he was a wise man, too. they say you have warmth and charm. you are resilient, but is mtombo not resilient? you are generous of mind and heart. you retort, my people reflect the splendors of our dreams. you have taught us that a group

of trees bend in the wind, but the tree that towers behalf the rest is broken by the wind, child of the wind, of the land. child of a future where black and white, rich and poor, men, women, and children must live side by side, dreaming the same dream, realizing at the crucible of time in our land we salute you. [ applause ] >> thank you very much -- >> tribute to nelson mandela from his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren, three there. he has at least 18 grandchildren. at least 12 living great grandchildren. ceremony began a little late. beginning at 4:00 a.m. eastern time. began a little later than that. many foreign leaders speaking including president obama. you see him there. first lady michelle obama. she's arrived in the stadium. we're going to go off the air in

a couple of minutes. seemed, though, that the grandchildren got a rousing reception from the crowd. [ cheers ] >> reporter: the reaction to president obama's visit. the relationship between president obama and africa as a whole, but especially south africa because as you've been talking about, his friendship with nelson mandela. very profound. and you could feel it, this place lit one cheers and excitement as soon as the cameras showed president obama had arrived. he will speak as a singular honor, having been invited to speak. they only met that one time. but really there are -- they are brothers in arms in a struggle that nelson mandela began and

advanced and continues. >> that greeting there, that was the secretary general, ban ki-moon, taking the podium. only one meeting. president obama in south africa months ago as nelson mandela was ailing at home chose ton visit at that time. did go to robben island on that visit. brought his daughters to robben island, as well. kind of a pilgrimage for nelson mandela. ban ki-moon speaking on behalf of the united nations. of course the american presidents in the crowd, president obama, president bush, president carter among the more than 90 world leaders who have gathered in south africa this morning to celebrate the life of nelson mandela, part of a week-long remembrance and celebration of nelson mandela.

spent so many years in prison, sacrificed so much for his country, and came out to be the first elected black president of his country and world leader to so many of his countrymen and so many around the world. >> it is that symbol of gratitude that i am here today. i hope -- [ indiscernible ] >> the song of celebration, a rainbow in our heart. >>graca machel, to winnie

mandela, the family -- [ cheers ] and the mandela family, the people of south africa. ladies and gentlemen, this stadium holds tens of thousands of people, but even the arena as big as a continent could not contain our pain today. south africa has lost a hero and father. the world has lost a friend and mentor. president mandela was more than one of the greatest leaders of our time.

he was one of our greatest teache teachers. he taught by example. he sacrificed so much, was willing it give up everything here from freedom and equality, for democracy and justice. his compassion stands out most. he was a -- she was a marvelous individual. she hated hatred, not the peo e people. she showed awesome power and that was a unique gift.

and that was a lesson she shared with all of mankind. she has looked around the stadium and the stage, we see many point of view and all walks of life. [ cheers ] >> all are united today. there are deep roots. your excellency, ladies and gentlemen, south africa's democratic transformation was a victory by and for south africans.

but the triumph and yesterdays of reconciliation and -- and ideas of reconciliation and for everyone everyplace, imagination stood side by side with nelson mandela and the people of south africa in the fight against apartheid. we used every tool we had. sancti sanctions -- [ indiscernible ] >> diplomatic adulation. we spoke up loud and clear to the world. apartheid was practiced, but she would be the first to say, our struggl struggles, intolerance, and --

[ indiscernible ] >> nelson mandela showed us a way with his heart and infectious smile that could easily power his life. nelson mandela rests. his long walk complete. let us be inspired by the spirit he always instilled in all of us, the flame of humankind. nelson mandela throughout his life, for each and every one of us. it is a duty of all of us to

love him, to keep his memory alive in our hearts and to stay in our lives. may he rest in peace. [ cheers ] >> thank you. thank you very much. >> the u.n. secretary general, ban ki-moon, delighting the crowd with an african saying. we'll hear next from the chair of the commission, zuma, the former wife of the president of south africa, jacob zuma.

>> the former foreign minister of south africa, as well. had a very close friendship with colin powell and secretary rice. secretary rice talked about having to -- complaining about the terrorism issue of south africans not getting in. she talked about her counterpart, she was talking about zuma more than anyone else. >> we're going to stay on the air now. president obama is the speaker right after dr. zuma. and john karl, we have more now on what we expect to hear from president obama. >> reporter: that's right. the president spoke about how mandela inspired millions around the world, getting first involved in politics. but i think we also hear from the president about mandela the seclude and practical politician, the many facets of

his life. the fact that he was a symbol, conscience of a country, of a generation. a political prisoner. but when he came out, he was seclude about how he went about manage -- seclude about how he went about -- shrewd about how he went about managing south africa. and mandela came to power and the way he left power. he served only one term ofa -- president obama compared him to george washington. he could have stayed in power like so many african leaders have. you saw, for instance, in the audience there, robert mugavi, from neighboring zimbabwe, still clinging to power in zimbabwe. mandela thought it was important to set the example for freak that it wasn't just about mandela. that africa needed to be a true multiracial democracy.

a succession. i think you'll hear that and a real message to young people around the world, reminding them that mandela was an inspiration for obama in college and saying he should be an inspiration for young people as to what can be accomplished and to rededicate themselves to all that he stood for. you know, very movingly, the president said when he came into the briefing room last week after mandela's death, he said, "i cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that nelson mandela set. as long as i live, i will do what i can to learn from him." i think you'll be hearing very much similar theme today. there you see, of course, bill clinton, george w. bush. >> the presidents gathering now. john karl, thank you very much. and dr. dyson, we've heard the cheer go up in the crowd.

saw president obama. the bond between so many in africa and the first african-american president, so strong. >> there was pride from african-americans and other americans, but the world embraced him. but especially africans. here is literally -- he is literally a son of africa coming to bless america with his genius, with his gift, with his spirit. and much lake mike mandela, his. we make a lot of his relationship with jay-z, there's cool like that. but there's some being his bearing, the graceful n ffulness political actions, and also the economy of expression that he possessed. not just in terms of his speech but in terms of his actions and gestures. and obama i think has sought to emulate that clue and the

inspiration that -- think about it -- you know, martin luther king jr., who does he have to turn to? the next person up on the world stage was nelson mandela. he drew a lot of -- >> one of the things they share even though there are many differences, as well. we see former secretary of state clinton with aberdeen there, and chelsea clinton. ♪ >> obama always very conscious, as you say, of appearing contained and being careful about showing anger in public. >> absolutely. >> there are a variety of reasons. i think the natural hawaii-bred cool is there. but he's conscious of the fact that he doesn't upon to be perceived -- doesn't want to be perceived as another angry black man. he didn't want to be, if you will, couched in those terms. he didn't want it used against him. you flew off the handle, you got too emotional. he wanted to contain himself and wanted to exist within his own framework so he could get the best benefit of his public

activity. >> president obama. let's go back to the stadium. ♪ ♪ sn sn ♪ we pray for africa god the father's love ♪ ♪ can reach down and bless our

hearts ♪ ♪ from his love ♪ and live by grace completely ♪ ♪ living free in africa to the loving god ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ god bless africa ♪ >> the world has gathered in johannesburg to celebrate nelson mandela. we are waiting. president obama, we had thought before that dr. zuma, the head of the africa an union was speaking. this is dr. frasier right now.

♪ >> the african national congress. >> long live nelson mandela. long live. we appeal for those behind the stage to please tone down their singing. those behind the stage, please tone down your singing. mrs. zuma is on the stage. >> there's been a lot of singing all morning long in south africa. so many people want to express their joy and celebrate the life of nelson mandela, as terry moran has been saying. can you hear me now? the crowd there just -- just wants to express themselves and enjoy themselves.

>> reporter: they sure do. this crowd is celebrating the life of nelson mandela. there's a sense of joy here. this is not mourning. this is pride, solidarity with each other. this is gratitude for the tremendous gift, and this is song, just as a country earlier on, the halls of the stadium were filled with crowds of men and women, the dancing and singing as they come through the halls of the stadium. and i was watching them and a man said to me, this is who we are as africans. we mark every passage of our lives in song. we grieve in song. we're happy in song. we mark marriages and funerals in song. and that's what they've been doing here. and sometimes it might be hard to conduct a formal ceremony when the crowd just wants to sing. >> the rain has been called a

blessing, it certainly is in the african tradition. it's creating a little trouble with the schedule today. they've been moving in and out of order. we do expect president obama to be speaking after dr. zuma, coming up shortly. we'll stay on the air as we prepare. and john karl, i want to go back to you in the white house. it was clear how moved the president was by that visit to south africa and that pilgrimage to robben island earlier this year. >> reporter: that's right. clearly the emotional high point of what was a very emotional trip to africa by the first african-american president. he went to robben island, got a tour of mandela's eight-by-eight cell and the quartery where he did so many years of hard labor. you see the daughters joined, machel joined. and prisoners of robben island,

with nelson mandela. and when he went into the cell, he went in with his family. then he went in, as you see, alone to spend time of reflection alone in the place where mandela spent 17 years of the 27 years that he was a prisoner. and i can tell you, no question at all that the president was incredibly moved by that and came out and spoke about what it meant to his children, how he wanted his daughters to learn from mandela. but really an incredible moment of that trip, that tour of robben island. >> there's been so many firsts for this first african-american president. we saw the picture of barack obama, president obama looking out the window. that small window that nelson mandela had from his cell in robben island. it brought me back to the moment

of his first inauguration where he paused before he walked out and looked over the multiitudes gathering for -- multitudes gathering for the inauguration of the president. he does seem to take hold of these moments. >> reporter: it's an incredible moment, but hue trees iing -- b he's trying to embrace it. some like kobe say, "i can't take advantage oomph i'm in t. i'm in the flow." he takes advantage and stops there, who understands what obama is facing? nelson mandela understand understand that. bill clinton and other former presidents. but few people understand the position he's in. and then the first african-american president facing the first african president, black african president of south africa. what an extraordinary parallel and what an extraordinary

convergence. i think sitting there to get a double portion of the spirit to use a biblical term of nelson mandela. >> dr. frasier, can the first african-american president meet the expectations of africans? >> i think it was pretty tough. they felt that their son was now in -- in power, in the most powerful country in the world. i often told africans that -- you remember, he's america's president. he's going to carry out america's interests. those interests are mutual with concerns and issues and challenges that are in africa. he's got to be america's president first. they still have tremendous warmth for him and expectation of him. but there was a disappointment during a first term since he came to africa, to began a-- ghana, sub-saharan africa. it was a trip with real initiative. he went to senegal, south africa, and tanzania.

so i think that africa still is embracing president obama as you saw with the reaction of the crowd. they are still looking for him to do more. >> it appears that the rain is coming down harder in these moment before president obama about to take the stage. as dr. frasier and terry moran mention, this crowd will greet him with one of the loudest cheers of the morning. they are waiting to hear from him. >> george, no question about that. consider this, the dignitaries, they came dressed for memorial service. the folk in the crowd, they came dressed for party. there's energy, enthusiasm. people have great affection for president obama. there's a picture out his house, a picture an artist was painting. it was of gandhi, john f. kennedy, martin luther king, nelson mandela, and barack obama. one person said, why have

obama's picture up there? what has he done for africa? what has he done as president? and in a beautiful south african accent, she said patience, my brother. patience. we endured white influence for 300 years, white rule for 300 years. apartheid for years. give the brother time. we know the power of patience in south africa. give the brother time. >> and it appears the crowd, baron pitts, is not going to -- going to listen. they want to keep on singing. >> without question. in the hallway, groups of a dozen, 30 -- young people mostly were brought into the hallway, danced, paraded and sang songs. the elders are a bit more

respectful of the program. they are having none of it. they're here to celebrate nelson mandela, celebrate as people told us time and time again, this rainbow nation of the new south africa. >> let's go back to the chair of the african commission, the speaker immediately preceding president obama. >> lihis relationship with all humanity, he saved the history not only of south africa and africans, but also of the world. today as we bid farewell to this great south african hero, africa recalls that during his inauguration, the time of the healing of the wounds has come. the moment to bridge the currents that try to divide us has come.

the time to grieve is upon us. on behalf of the african union commission and the people of south africa, we express our sincere condolences to the children, grandchildren, and the entire madiba family, and to all -- >> the president there. shielded from the rain that is pouring down on the rest of the crowd there in johannesbur johannesburg,south africa, this morning. we're awaiting president obama, who will pay his respects. terry, we're going on for a little over an hour and a half right now. stadium filled with people expressing their love for their former president, the founder of the modern south africa, nelson mandela.

>> reconciliation, discipline, and humility. it says that the person of the story, the person who hated oppression of one another, speck of the african nation, the father of modern south africa. >> dr. dyson, we've heard the word "discipline" used to describe many times about nelson mandela. the quality of a great leader and probably the quality that helped get him through those 27 years in prison. >> absolutely right. the deliberation, to persist about it and the spiritual discipline, we know he was an especially religious man, to focus on the political utility of forgiveness and how that

would feed the nation and make it a productive as opposed it a destructive state. what he did for that nation, that founding father, that analogy to george washington, is not without significant merit because he gave birth out of the womb of his integrity and inspiration and imagination, to a nation that now wouldn't exist without him. >> and that rain just pouring down in johannesburg today. ♪ >> talking about the youth, terry moran, you can see, traveling throughout south africa this week. been touched especially by the young south africans to their founding father. >> reporter: they call him dada. almost everyone calls him that.

it's zulu for father. and he is a father of this country in profound ways. you get the sense that they are remembering and grieving in a celebratory fashion a father figure. people said that to me directly. and crass the tribal lines, the racial lines, he is the dad -- across the tribal lines, the racial lines, he is the dad. going back it his early days when he game that famous speech at his trial and confronted the court saying, "i have fought against white domination, and i have fought against black domination." he said, "it's a cause for which i'm willing to live to achieve, if need be, it's a cause for which i'm willing to die for." one of the winter things about that that people for-- of the important things about that that people forget is that at the time the anc's rainbow policy was not the dominant movement in black south african politics.

when he said "i oppose white domination and black domination," that set him apart as a politician, as well. he lived that out. and now as they sing together, they're embodying it. >> let's listen to that singing right now. ♪ if the heart is broken lift your hands ♪ ♪ i know that i can make it no matter ♪ ♪ no matter what may come my life is in your hands ♪ >> south africa, you don't have to worry. ♪ you don't have to worry >> let me hear you. joy comes in the mornings. ♪ joy comes in the mornings

>> can you take it with us? there is -- ♪ celebrate jesus >> let me hear you! ♪ and i hear your heart is broken ♪ >> everybody! come on! >> there president obama making his way to the podium. i believe he will be speaking next. the man who inspired his political career, nelson mandela. ♪ >> moving to the african stage

there. if he takes up a collection -- full circle. >> taking his time with all the world leaders there. we heard the crowd explode when they saw the image of president obama. wait until they hear him speak. ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ >> my life is in your hands. ♪ my life is in your hands

>> johannesburg, my life is in your hands. ♪ my life is in your hands >> my life is in your hand. ♪ my life is in your hands ♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you! >> thank you very much. that was a celebration. a joyous celebration. now the president of the united states. [ applause ] >> they seem to know kurt franklin in johannesburg today. >> now to come to the stage and to the podium.

president barack obama. [ wild cheers and applause ] >> thank you. [ cheers ] >> thank you. >> thank you very much! thank you. to graca machel and the family,

the heads of state and government, past and present, distinguished guests, it is a sing laular honor to be with yo today, to celebrate a life like no other. to the people of south africa -- [ cheers ] >> people of every race and every walk of life, the world thanks you for sharing nelson mandela with us. his struggle was your struggle. his triumph was your triumph. his dignity and hope found expression in your life, and

your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy. it is hard to eulogize any man to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life but the essential truth of a person, their private joy and sorrow. the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone's soul. how much harder to do so for a giant of history, to move a nation -- who moved a nation toward justice and moved billions around the world. born during world war ii, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and cutered by the elders of the

tribe, madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. like gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement, a movement that at the start had little prospect for success. like dr. king, he would give voice to the claims of the oppressed and the moral necessity of racial justice. he would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of kennedy and khrushchev and reached the final days of the cold war. emerging from prison without the force of arm, he would, like abraham lincoln, hold his country together when it threatened to break apart, and like america's foundation, he would erect a constitutional

order to preserve freedom for future generations a. a commitment to democracy and rule of law. ratified not only by his election but by his willing tons step down from power after only one term. given the sweep of his life, the scope of his accomplishments, the adoration that he so rightly earned crew's tempting, i think -- earned, it's tempting, i think, to remember him smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. but madiba himself strongly resi resisted such a lifeless portrait. [ cheers ]

instead madiba insisted on sharing with us his thoughts and fears, miscalculations along with his victories. "i am not a saint," he said, "unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying." it was because he could admit information. because he could be full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burden that he carried that we saw results. he was a man of flesh and blood. a son and a husband, a father and a friend. that's why we learned so much from him and why we can learn from him still. for nothing he achieved was

inevitab inevitable. in the arc of his life we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness and persistence and faith. he tells us what is possible not just in the pages of history books but in our own lives, as well. mandela showed us the power of action, of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. perhaps he was right that he inherited a sense of rebellio rebelliousness, a sense of fairness from his father. we know he shared with millions of black and colored south africans the anger born of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moment, a dire to

fight the system -- desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people, he said. but like earl early giants of the a -- like other early giants of the anc, the zulus and mtombos, madiba disciplined his anger and channelled his desire to fight an organization and platforms and strategies for action so men and women could stand up for their god-given dignity. moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price. "i have fought against white doomsday, and i have fought -- white domination, and i have fought against black domination. i cherish the ideal of a democratic and free society in

which all persons live together in harmony and equal opportunity. it is an ideal which i hope to live for and achieve. but if need be, it is an ideal for which i am prepared to die." [ cheers ] >> mandela taught us the power of action, but he also taught us the power of ideals. the importance of reason and argument. the need to study not only those who you agree with but also those who you don't agree with. he understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls or extinguished bay eed by a snipe bullet. he turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his elegance and passion but also because of his training as

an advocate. he used decades of prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his search for knowledge to others in the movement. he learned language and customs of his oppressor so one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depends upon him. [ applause ] >> mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough. no matter how right, they must also be chiseled in the wall and institution. he was practical. testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history. on core principles, he was unyielding which is why he passed up offers of unconditional release, reminding the apartheid regime that

prisoners cannot enter into contract. as he showed in painstaking negotiations the transfer of power and draft of new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal. and because he was not only a leader of a movement but a skillful politician, the constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy, true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well majority rights. and precious rights of every south africa. finally, mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. there's a word in south afri afriafrica -- bubuntu. [ cheers ] >> a word that captures

mandela's greatest gift. his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye. that there's a oneness to humanity. that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others and caring for those around us. we can never know how much of the sense was innate in him or how much was shaped in a dark and sog terry cell. but -- and solitary cell. but we remember the gestures large and small, introducing his jailers as honored guest s at hs inauguration. taking a pitch in a uniform. turning his family's heartbreak into a call to confront hiv/aids, that revealed the depths of his empathy and understanding. he not only embody ied it, he

taught millions to find that truth within themselves. it took a man like madiba to free not just the prisoner but the jailer, as well. to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you. to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past but a means of confronting it with inclusion and generosity and truth. he changed laws, but he also changed hearts. for the people of south africa, for those he inspired around the globe, madiba's passing is a time of mourning and a time of to see celebrate a heroic life.

but i believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection. with honesty regardless of our station or our circumstance, we must ask how well have i applied his lessons in my own life. it's a question i ask myself as a machine and as a president. we -- a man and as a president. we know that like south africa, the united states had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation. it took sacrifices of countedlecounteless people known and unknown to see the dawn of a new day. michelle and i are beneficiaries of that struggle. [ cheers ] >> but in america and in south

africa and in countries all around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not yet done. the struggles that form equality for universal franchise may not be filled as clarity as those who came before, but they are no less important. for around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger and disease. we still see rundown schools. we still see young people wi without prospects for the future. around the world today, men and women are still in prison for political beliefs and persecuted for what they look like, how they worship, who they love. that is happening today. [ cheers ]

so we, too, must act on behalf of justice. we, too, must act on behalf of peace. there are too many people who happily embrace madiba's practice of reconciliation but resist modern reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. there are too many leaders who claim solidarity with madiba's struggle for freedom but do not tolerate this sense from their own people. [ cheers ] and there are too many of us comfortable on the sidelines, comfortable in complains compla cynicism when our voices must be

heard. our question today, how to promote equality and justice, how to uphold freedom and human rights, how to end conflict and sectarian war. these things do not have easy answers. but there were no easy answers in front of that child born in world war i. nelson mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done. south africa those that is true. south africa shows we can change. that we can choose a world defined not by our differences but common hopes. we can choose a world defined not by conflict but by peace and justice and opportunity. we will never see the likes of

nelson mandela again. but let me say to the young people of africa and the young people around the world, you, too, can make his life work in your own. over 30 years ago while still a student, i learned of nelson mandela and the troubles taking place in this beautiful land, and it stirred something in me. it woke me up to my responsibilities, to others and to myself, and it set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today. while i will always fall short of madiba's example, he makes me want to be a better man. [ cheers ] >> he speaks for what's best inside us.

after this great liberator is laid to rest and when we return to our cities and villages and rejoin our daily routine, let us search for his strength, let us search for his largeness of spirit somewhere inside of ourselves. when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy our hearts, when our best laid plans seem beyond our reach, let us think of madiba and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of his cell. it matters not how straight the gate, how charged the punishment, the scroll, i am the master of my fate, i am the captain of my soul, what a

magnificent soul it was. we will miss him deeply. may god bless the memory of nelson mandela. may god bless the people of south africa. [ cheers ] >> an emotional president obama there giving a rousing eulogy to his personal hero, nelson mandela, closing to those words of william earnest henley, "i am the master of my fate. i am the captain of my soul." "invictus," inspired president obama for years. he spoke, recounting the life of nelson mandela. and robin roberts joins me now, the lessons he taught us all. >> the lessons he taught us very well, george. it was something to see the president actually able to quiet the crowd somewhat. and he knew to whom he was speaking, the south african people there. i thought it was move wheg said, and we think about all the

celebrations around the world in remembering this great man, but the president first off said, thank you, south africa, for sharing him with the world. referring to him as -- as the last great liberator of several different times and the power of taking risks and such. i thought it was difficult to try and get all the emotion as we've been seeing all morning long. it is a celebration. there is sorrow. but having troubled to south africa several times, i remember one time i of in -- i was in a-va very poor village. women were dancing. and i said, are they mourning and the interpreter said, no, they're celebrating life. >> so much going on. we're coming up on three hours now. world leaders joining together. over 90 world leaders

celebrating the life of manned. thank you, and we're getting ready for "good morning america." in a couple of minutes, we'll come back and show much more of the service celebrating the life and contribution, the inspiration of nelson mandela. you can watch it all morning long on goodmorningamerica.com, and we'll see you in a couple of minutes. ♪ all right. "the pulse." the "the pulse," starting with a concert like unothnone other.

>> metallica going where no other band went before. rocking it out in antarctica, going down in history as the first band to play all seven continents. the "freedom" concert was performed under a protective transparent dome of scientists and concept winners. >> they played ten songs including "master of puppets." they said the energy in the dome was amazing! if you're sick of the shop, shop, shop message this holiday season, time for a little breather. this is a canadian boy's letter to santa that was written almost 100 years ago. "dear santa claus, will you bring me a box of paint?" >> he also asked for a nine-cent reader and school bag to carry his gifts. he closes by saying, "if you have any nuts or candy or toys to spare, would you kindly send me some? you will please a 7-year-old boy." >> asking for nuts for crying

out loud. i hope he got that and more. and a playstation. >> yes, 100 years ago. finally, guys doing a glorified seesaw routine. they are the play of the day. we want to warn you, although i don't think we have to, don't try this at home, please. >> don't do this at home? these are experienced gymnasts working out on a cedar board. we think you understand why we call it a glorified seesaw. impressive, nonetheless, fly being 15 feet in the air. >> needless to know, one wrong move by either one of these guys would mean big problems for the other guy. simply no doubt about that. and as we said, you don't want to try this yourself at home or the gym. >> watch the big finish. >> here's the finish. here we go. >> don't want to mess up the big finish. >> one more. and right on top. that could have ended in -- several different ways. local news is next. >> for everyone else, we're coming back with a whole lot more from south africa. ot

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checking our top stories -- nelson mandela being remembered today as thousands of south africans gather for his memorial service. president obama was among the 100 or so world leaders who arrived at the soccer stadium outside johannesburg to pay their respects. later mandela's body will lie in state for three days before the funeral at the royal village. bitter cold, submight have ze -- sub-zero temperatures and more snow as airlines cancel more than 700 flights today at airports across the storm zone. quickly looking at the weather. for the nation, rainy across the southeast. but clear across most of the bitterly cold midwest, and we are going to have some chilly weather for the west coast. this morning, the world honors the life and achievements of nelson mandela, we remember what could be called his "invictus" moment.

>> a simple act that reached across his nation's racial lines and summed up his stand for reconciliation. byron pitts reports from johannesburg. >> reporter: south africans will stand in the stadium cheering nelson mandela's name. it's certainly n

making news in america this morning, a tribute for nelson mandela gets under way overnight. a joyful crowd in the streets. so is our team with all the angles. winter wallop again. snow affecting millions of people today. hundreds of flights already canceled. campus chaos. a snowball fight turns into folly. gets some members of the football team in trouble. extreme seesaw. wild, must-see fashion. and good morning. it's a day of